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Watch: How to Protect Your Store This Holiday Season

by Media

November 17, 2023 – Jewelry crime soared to record levels in 2022, with the number of crimes up 31 percent year-over-year and dollar losses hitting a 13-year high.

Has that trend continued into 2023? What types of crimes are most prevalent and what do jewelers need to be mindful of heading into the holiday season?

On November 14 2023, Jewelers’ Security Alliance President John Kennedy and Andrew Chipman, Vice President of Jewelers Block at Berkley Asset Protection, joined National Jeweler’s Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff and Jewelers of America’s Regina Ciarleglio to discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of My Next Question.

Watch the webinar below:

https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/12457-watch-how-to-protect-your-store-this-holiday-season

Calxixo

Jewelry store robbery suspect arrested

by ArrestsCrime VideosCrimes

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – November 28, 2023 – A suspect tied to a jewelry store robbery in Calexico back in 2022 has been arrested. 20-year-old Anthony Angel Flores was arrested on the night of November 21, after a robbery at a jewelry store in Calexico last year.

Calexico police say Flores and another suspect entered the store smashing a glass display with a hammer and pointed a handgun at a worker. 

Calexico police along with the FBI and the ATF conducted an investigation determining Flores was their suspect. “Flores is well known by our Calexico police officers and also he is well known for carrying firearms in the past and he has been involved also in past incidents where weapons were found,” said Jonathan Rangel, Calexico Police Department.

The other suspect is still on the loose.  Flores was handed over to the FBI for federal prosecution. Police say he is being charged with robbery with a firearm.  

Fort Wayne Subject

Fort Wayne PD needs help identifying person of interest in jewelry store theft

by Crime SuspectsCrimes

Fort Wayne, IN – November 21, 2023 – The Fort Wayne Police Department is asking for the public�s help identifying a person of interest in a jewelry store theft that occurred on November 13, 2023.

Image of wanted theft subject.

Police say a male subject went into the store around noon, and asked to see some items. Police said while the man was handling an expensive wristwatch, he ran out of the store without paying for the watch.

Police describe the person of interest as a heavyset Black man with a beard and mustache, who was last seen wearing dark pants, a white shirt with a dark stripe across his chest, a blue hooded coat, and a black and white Carhartt baseball-style hat.

If you have any information about this subject, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

watch

Man Arrested for Pawning Counterfeit high-end Watches in Naples, Fl.

by ArrestsCrime Suspects

Naples, FL – November 21, 2023 – A man has been arrested for attempting to pawn a fake high-end watch at a Southwest Florida pawn shop last week.

Police say the suspect, identified as Olgierd Wielecki, first pawned a counterfeit watch for $7,000 at a pawn shop in Naples on September 29th.

The scheme was uncovered when the pawn shop staff, upon inspection, realized the watch was fake after completing the transaction.

Wielecki returned to the pawn shop on November 16th to pawn another counterfeit watch from the same high-end brand.

However, the pawn shop promptly identified the watch as a fake, noting that the serial number on the movement mechanism was laser engraved, a departure from the brand’s traditional imprinting method.

Additionally, the watch was missing knurled thumb screws on the winder pinion, further confirming its counterfeit nature.

Upon arresting Wielecki for Defrauding a Pawnbroker, Collier County deputies reportedly discovered cocaine, Adderall, and Xanax in his pockets during the arrest.

Wielecki faces charges of defrauding a pawnbroker, grand theft, passing counterfeit goods, possession of amphetamine, possession of Xanax, and possession of cocaine.

Click here to learn about the type of watch that was pawned.

watch

Two women wanted for theft of high-end watches in Boulder, CO

by Crime SuspectsCrimes

Boulder, Colorado – Boulder Police are attempting to identify two women who stole two high-end watches from a jewelry store on November 11, 2023.

The two women entered the store just before 1 p.m., and stole two watches before walking out. They were last seen getting into a car driven by an unknown man.

Both suspects were described as women in their 50s with brown hair and brown eyes. They�re reportedly described as Middle Eastern because of the language they were speaking.

Anyone with any information about these women�s identities or this crime is asked to contact Detective Xu at XuZ@bouldercolorado.gov or 303-441-3564. When calling, reference case no. 23-11505.

The suspects are pictured below. Watch the video below to learn more.

Vehicle used in crime

Subjects ram SUV into jewelry store during heist, video shows

by Crime VideosCrimesMediaUncategorized

LOS ANGELES, CA – On November 18, 2023, a jewelry store was left picking up the pieces after a brazen vehicle smash burglary impacted their store. The incident was caught on video.

Los Angeles police say officers responded to the jewelry store after a report came in around 1:48 a.m. Saturday.

Multiple security cameras at the jewelry store show an SUV ram into the storefront. The burglars are then seen running in and ransacking the location.

The owner, who didn’t want be identified, says the thieves didn’t take much but they caused significant damage. “We have to redo the floors, redo the cabinets because they were smashed for no reason. There was nothing in them,” the owner said. “They just don’t care, so it impacts us both financially and mentally.”

The owner says the jewelry store has been in the community for more than three decades.

Police had no leads on the case, but the owner said the SUV involved in the crash was stolen and was found abandoned nearby.

Click here to view footage of the crime and read the source of this posting. If you have any information regarding the subjects from this crime, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Image of wanted suspect

Mother-daughter duo sought in jewelry heist at Watsonville store

by Crime Suspects

WATSONVILLE, CA. � Authorities in Santa Cruz County are searching for a mother-daughter duo suspected in a large jewelry heist at a store in Watsonville that was captured on camera.

According to Watsonville Police, 53-year-old Onita Rostas and 30-year-old Steluta Lacatus are wanted in the theft, which took place at a store on September 11, 2023.

The suspects claimed to be from Spain and were interested in purchasing gifts for their family. Using distraction techniques, they were able to steal jewelry worth a significant amount of monetary value.

Police have released video of the theft. “We want to warn our community to be vigilant for these types of tactics used to victimize businesses,” police said Thursday.

A judge in Santa Cruz County has issued arrest warrants for Rostas and Lacatus. Police said the pair are wanted by multiple agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, and Interpol due to their connection to organized crime.

Click here to view footage of the crime and read the source of this posting. If you have any information regarding the subjects from this crime, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Pictures of wanted suspects

diamonds

Burglars target Forsyth County jewelry store in large heist

by Crime VideosCrimesMediaUncategorized

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA. – A significant amount of jewelry was stolen in a burglary at a jewelry store in Forsyth County.

Early Friday morning, subjects broke into the store. One individual smashed display cases, while the others grabbed high-end watches, engagement rings, and necklaces.

They ran out the backdoor, loaded up the stolen items, and fled the scene, even while one of the burglars was still trying to get in the car. The owners have had other problems in the past.

In January 2020, a thief used a large rock to break into the jewelry store’s old location. The subject used the same rock to smash the glass on the showcases and grab jewelry.

Last year, on New Year’s Eve, burglars tried to break in through the roof. A few months later, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men for the daring break-in. Sheriff’s officials say the three men are believed to be part of an international theft ring. They believe the same men hit stores across north Georgia and Tennessee.

Now, the owners of the jewelry store, are hoping that the thieves who broke in on Friday morning will also be captured.

The owners say it’s going to take time to replace the glass on the custom-made display cases, and even more time to get more inventory to replace the jewelry that was stolen. The heist came at a tough time when the holiday shopping season is just around the corner.

Click here to view footage of the crime and read the source of this posting. If you have any information regarding the subjects from this crime, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.

Subject in handcuffs

Australian woman arrested after allegedly robbing Adelaide jewelry store using chili sauce

by ArrestsCrime VideosCrimesInternational

Adelaide, Australia – November 7, 2023 – A 42-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated robbery after she allegedly squirted chili sauce into an Adelaide CBD jewelry store employee’s eye on November 7, 2023, before swiping a bundle of gold chains.

Police allege the 42-year-old Unley woman entered the store on James Place at about 5pm on Tuesday, November 7 and asked to see a jewelry display tray.

When staff member showed the woman the tray, the 42-year-old allegedly sprayed liquid chili sauce in the victim’s eyes, grabbed the tray and ran out of the store.

“I stepped back a bit and thought, oh my god, my jewelry … she grabbed it and ran out … I couldn’t open my eyes, they really stung and burned,” the victim reported. The victim’s husband ran after the accused and managed to get back the stolen items.

Police officers allege the Unley woman dropped the chili sauce and a Taser when she allegedly attempted to flee the scene. The 42-year-old was later arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, possessing a prohibited weapon, and breach of bail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxlkwX6dnio
Image of six robbers

Six Suspects Arrested Following Smash and Grab Robbery

by ArrestsCrimes

Palm Desert, CA � November 10, 2023 – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has arrested a total of six suspects in connection to a smash and grab robbery that occurred on October 5, 2023 in Palm Desert, CA.

Most recently, an 18-year-old female named Destiny Baca, and a 24-year-old woman identified as Analea Miller, were arrested for their involvement. The suspects who have been arrested are featured below. Click here to learn more about this crime.

Image of six robbers
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department